Sister Act Iii

COMMUNITY SPORTS

The Andreolas Sisters - Amber, Kristy And Jessica - Are Ready To Put On A Show Next Season On The Volleyball Courts At Fiu.

June 5, 1996|By MANOLO BARCO Special to the Sun-Sentinel

As kids, the Andreolas sisters - Amber, Kristy and Jessica - would chat in their bedroom about never letting anything split them apart. Next year, on the volleyball courts of Florida International University, they'll fulfill that promise.

Jessica and Kristy, seniors at American Heritage high school, will join older sister Amber on FIU's squad. The younger sisters are in the same class, because Jessica skipped the second grade.

"It's going to be great for me next year, because I'll have two of my little sisters joining me on the court," said Amber, 21, a middle hitter on FIU's volleyball team. "I mean we love each other. We can tell by each other's facial expressions when we need support. We know each other better than anyone else, and that will certainly help our team next year."

Next year will mark the first time all three sisters play on the same team. Their parents, Mike and Glory, are FIU graduates eagerly anticipating watching their daughters play together.

The girls could make up half the starting lineup. "We have always been our own little team," said Kristy, 18.

A little team that could become very competitive. Amber and Kristy both play the middle-blocker position and could end up battling each other for a spot in the starting lineup.

But Jessica, who plays the swing position, should also look over her shoulder. Kristy may compete with her, because she has experimented with the swing position.

The sisters, however, make it clear that they will not allow their competitive nature to come between them.

"Even if I was sitting the bench or if one of my sisters was sitting the bench, I'm sure we'd be proud of each other," said Kristy, who was a Sun-Sentinel first-team selection this past season.

Jessica, the Sun-Sentinel's Player of the Year for Class 1A-2A, added:

" Cracking the starting lineup won't be a big do-all. I'd rather see one of my sisters start, rather than someone else. We will take the competition in stride and what happens... happens."

It is evident that this family rivalry will continue forever. Their smiles as they describe the thrill of smashing their parents' shots at family volleyball games kind of give it away.

Besides volleyball, this family has shared many special moments. Such as the time some kids tried to bully Kristy at their dad's softball game. Amber and Jessica stood next to her and let the bullies know not to even think about touching their sister.

Another time, Amber broke her foot during her sophomore campaign at FIU and the whole family flooded the court to calm her down.

Yet another time, Kristy and Amber tied up Jessica in their parents' car and frizzed up her hair. Then they laughed as Jessica hopped to the front porch.

"We had a really fun childhood. We didn't have a lot of toys, but we invented so many fun things to do," said Amber. "As we have gotten older, we just sit and laugh about all the fun times we've had."

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for opposing teams, guess again.

A new Andreolas, 8-year-old Lauren, is ready to hit the courts. She's Miss Do-Everything for Kristy's and Jessica's Everglades Flamingo Volleyball Club. She cheers, shags balls, is the water girl and even gives opposing players dirty looks.

"I look up to my sisters, because they play volleyball and have good grades," Lauren said.

While it is unsure of how successful the sisters will be on FIU's volleyball court next year, one thing is certain: They will have fun.